Category: News

Muncie news

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Welcome to the new class of 2025 CenterPoint Scholars!

Kiwani Pine, Rachael Robertson, Isabel Heimlich, Joseph Scholl III, Eliana Heimlich, Sam Atlas McCollum (Jasmine Taylor not in photo) Photo by Shantanu Suman

Kiwani Pine, Rachael Robertson, Isabel Heimlich, Joseph Scholl III, Eliana Heimlich, Sam Atlas McCollum (Jasmine Taylor not in photo)
Photo by Shantanu Suman

Welcoming the Second Cohort of CenterPoint Scholars

Since 2010, Muncie Action Plan (MAP) has been supporting neighborhood leaders through its Neighborhood Leadership Council. In October 2023, MAP expanded this commitment by launching a new initiative—thanks to a generous grant from CenterPoint Energy—to train emerging leaders in grassroots advocacy. This initiative, the CenterPoint Scholars Program, offers a year-long leadership development experience focused on building skills that directly impact Muncie’s neighborhoods.

The program began with a competitive application process in January, and the second cohort of Scholars was officially introduced at the March 2025 IDEA Conference. In April, the Scholars participated in a weekend retreat at highlighted locations in Muncie to kick off the program. This retreat laid the groundwork for a year of learning, connection, and community impact.

We are excited to welcome our second cohort of CenterPoint Scholars:

This class of CenterPoint Scholars is exploring topics like project management, conflict resolution, and trust building, all while working on neighborhood-based projects designed to create lasting, positive change. They are joining our Neighborhood Leadership Council in monthly trainings from March 2025 through March 2026, and their efforts will culminate in a final presentation led by the Scholars at the 2026 IDEA Conference. MAP is proud to support these emerging leaders and excited to see the impact of their work across our community.

For more information about the CenterPoint Scholars Program, visit muncieneighborhoods.org/centerpoint-scholars.

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White River Canoe and Kayak Launch Sites

Map of the White River showing completed and future landing sites for canoes and kayaks
Kitselman Trailhead launch, completed in 2022. Photo by the Ball Brothers Foundation:

Did you know there are several new kayak and canoe launches located throughout Muncie?

There are! And several more in the works.

These launches are open to the public, so beat the heat this summer by grabbing a friend and bringing your favorite canoes and kayaks to one of these convenient spots.

Learn more about this and other cool projects aimed at championing our local waterways at the Ball Brothers Foundation Project Blueways page.

Check out more muncie neighborhood news and events:

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Neighborhood Associations Matter

Heat map image showing the progression of activity among Muncie's neighborhoods from 2014 to 2024

Building Better Neighborhoods (BBN) was created in 2014 to provide a bridge between the resources of Ball State University and the needs of Muncie’s neighborhoods. Over the last eleven years, the program has helped neighborhoods across the city develop strong neighborhood associations and that work is tracked annually using the “Spectrum of Development”. The Spectrum survey asks neighborhoods to self-report on a number of development factors like whether they have an elected Board of Directors, if they meet regularly, and how they communicate with their residents. This information allows BBN to develop trainings that match the needs of the neighborhoods to assist them in moving along the Spectrum if that is their collective wish.

Why do functioning neighborhood associations matter? Because they facilitate achieving common goals by providing a single, unified voice for the neighborhood. Associations improve quality of life by organizing and helping residents work towards preservation and improvements within the neighborhoods. And they build community by planning and holding social events that bring neighbors together.

If you would like to get involved in your area, but don’t know where to start, choose your neighborhood from this list to learn more, or contact your neighborhood leader.

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Spring Cleanups

It’s time to clean! MSD is partnering with our neighborhoods this May to help clean up our streets and alleys. If your neighborhood is not hosting an event, please consider volunteering to help another neighborhood. Facebook events are linked when available.

May 3rd

Old West End – 7:45 AM | Meet at Clifton-Wallace Park

Industry – 7:45 AM | Meet in Heekin Park at corner of 9th & Penn

Thomas Park/Avondale – 7:45 AM | Meet at Thomas Park

South Central – 7:45 AM | Meet at the Community Garden on 7th St.

May 10th

McKinnley – 8:00 AM | Meet at the Daycare on Columbus Ave.

Riverside/Normal City – 7:45 AM | Meet at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

Morningside/McCormick

Whitely – 8:00 AM | Meet at the Buley Center

May 17th

Southside – 7:45 AM | Meet at Frankie D’s Flea Market

East Central – 7:45 AM | Meet at the corner of Vine and Main

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Muncie’s Neighborhood Leaders Gather for 10th Annual IDEA Conference

Donna Browne, previous Co-Chair of MAP, leading a popular grants session. Photo by Ty Morton, Tylonius Studio

Donna Browne, previous Co-Chair of MAP, leading a popular grants session.
Photo by Ty Morton, Tylonius Studio

The 10th annual Neighborhood IDEA Conference brought together more than 100 dedicated community members for a day of networking, workshops, and inspiration on March 8 at Ball State University’s L.A. Pittenger Student Center.

This year’s sessions covered a range of topics, from political action and leadership development to project planning and community engagement.

One standout presentation came from the inaugural class of CenterPoint Scholars, a leadership academy designed to equip neighborhood advocates with essential skills in advocacy, conflict resolution, and project management. Napoleon Price, an academy participant, shared insights from his experience launching a free food fridge initiative to support local families.

“I got involved with CenterPoint Scholars because it offered me an opportunity to get some valuable tools as far as running a neighborhood meeting, managing conflict … essential leadership skills that I didn’t feel I had until after completing this 12-month program,” Price said.

“It felt good to present our project at the IDEA conference,” he said, adding that he hopes it makes a difference for families who visit the fridge locations (currently at The Common Market, with other locations in the works).

A highlight of the event was the annual Neighborhood Awards, recognizing outstanding efforts to enhance local neighborhoods. South Central and Whitely neighborhoods received awards for the most trash collected during their 2024 clean-up days.

Whitely also received the Neighborhood Project of the Year award for its Whitely Summer Reading Program. The program, for Longfellow Elementary School students, was designed to combat the “summer slide” and encourage literacy. The program, launched by the Whitely Education Committee, challenged students to log at least 20 minutes of daily reading throughout June and July. Participants also took part in an essay contest based on their summer reading, with winners receiving prizes such as bicycles, STEM kits, and an Oculus Quest 2. The program had more than 80 students participating, reading 500 books with more than 23,400 minutes of reading recorded.

The Neighborhood Leader of the Year award went to Courtney Marsh of the Southside Neighborhood. Since joining her neighborhood association in 2019, Marsh has played a key role in fostering community engagement and positive change.

“I was completely honored to receive [this award,]” Marsh said. “I am beyond blessed to be recognized for the many achievements in 2024, and I can’t wait to see what this next year will bring.”

Marsh emphasized the importance of community involvement, noting that neighborhood associations provide invaluable opportunities. “Being a part of a neighborhood association allows you to make great connections with not only your neighbors, but your city,” she said. “It also provides an opportunity to be a part of the change for the best.”

Networking with other neighborhood advocates is always a big hit with attendees. “My favorite part of IDEA is gathering with people who share a common goal of being a piece of Muncie’s history,” Marsh said. “Sharing resources, stories, and hopes for the future is what makes this event so special.”

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Did you miss this year’s $2 Tour of the Village?

The “$2 Tour of the Village” returned Saturday, Aug. 24, on University Avenue between Calvert and Dill Streets.

Not only was admission free to this event but the first 100 people through the gates were given a $2 bill to spend on awesome $2 items from Village businesses (an Art Mart goodie bag or a $2 t-shirt from Screenbroidery, just to name a few).

This fifth-year event was hosted by the Riverside/Normal City Neighborhood Association (RNC), the Muncie Action Plan, and Ball State University’s Office of Community Engagement, with additional support from the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership and Ball Brothers Foundation.

“We wanted to create a fun festival for incoming freshmen and returning students to experience all that the Village has to offer,” said Heather Williams, Associate Director for Community Engagement at Ball State University and Program Manager for Building Better Neighborhoods, as well as MAP President. “We also hoped that Muncie residents would stop by and enjoy the $2 samples, vendors, music, and entertainment.”

More than 50 vendor and organization booths lined the street, and The Guardian Brewing Company had a tent in the middle of all the action selling their local brews. There were grassy areas with comfy seating and lawn games, a high striker, dunk tank shenanigans (for charity), mechanical bull riding, and a hot pepper-eating contest.

Two stages offered non-stop entertainment. On the West Stage, the area’s must-see bands performed – Free Joel and Jerry Barker. On the East Stage, performers included The Aerial Annex, University Singers, and the Shamaniacs Drum Troupe.

The first 300 attendees received $2 Tour Guides with Passports. Those with passports could have them stamped at certain Village businesses. Once the passports were filled, attendees were eligible to win lots of great prizes!

“The Village is a special place, a historic commercial corridor for the Riverside/Normal City neighborhood and a gathering space for students where a lot of memories are made off-campus,” Williams said. “We wanted to continue to build on and support the unique culture and character of the Village, and the $2 Tour was an opportunity to do just that!”